Electric iron



May 11, 1954 D. c. GERBER ET AL ELECTRIC IRON 2 Sheets-Sheet l FiledJuly 26, 1950 INVENTORS.- .Dale C. Gew/bef' T/126; fl/lggjy $427 5f L,

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May l1, 1954 D. c. Gr-:RBER E1-AL ELECTRIC IRON 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJuly 26, 195C INVENTORS:

Patented May 1 1, 1954 UNITED STATES :OFFICE Binggely, Canton,

Ohio,

assignors to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Application July 26, 1950, Serial No. 176,022

(Cl. 21S-25) 12 Claims. l.

This invention relates to electric irons and more particularly to anovel arrangement and construction of the operating handle, temperaturecontrol dial and service cord anchorage.

This application is a continuation-in-part of abandoned application forLetters Patent, Serial No. 695,394, led September 7, 1946, forimprovements in Electric Irons.

To be effective and to perform the ironing task speedily, an electriciron should operate at a high temperature range, it being understoodthat this range includes the relatively lower temperatures for certainfabrics such as rayon and silk and the relatively higher temperaturesfor linens and woolens. Of necessity, these operating temperatures aremaintained in a zone very close to the operators hand. Many attemptshave been made to confine these high temperatures to the immediatevicinity of the sole plate and to maintain a cool zone thereabove forthe comfort of the operator. Typical of the various expedients resortedto is the use of heat insulating material between the sole plate and thecover shell; spaced and air ventilated horizontal ns between the soleplate and the operating handle; and power driven fans to circulatecooling air in the area about the handle. While these expedients havemet with some success, they are all subject to numerous disadvantagesincluding complexity of construction, high cost, increased weight,service and maintenance difficulties.

Another deficiency of prior constructions is the hazard to the user fromsevere burns unavoidably iniiicted while using Vthe iron. Such burns areobtained in the majority of instances either when the operator grasps orremoves her hand from the handle or attempts to adjust the temperaturecontrol and, in so doing, touches the hot cover shell.

Yet another deficiency of prior irons is the lack of simple, sturdyyandreadily operable means for shifting the service cord mounting from oneside to the other of the iron to convert it for use by either a right orleft hand operator.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple,inexpensive, rugged and novel electric iron which overcomes theaforementioned and other disadvantages of prior electric irons.

More specifically, it is an object to provide an iron having acantilever type operating handle in combination with a temperaturecontrol dial and a supplemental cover plate which together perform theirusual functions'and additionally serve individually and jointly as aheat barrier between the sole plate and thehandle grip.

Another object is to provide a new and simple service cord anchoragewhich is readily movable to different operating positions to adapt theiron to use by either right or left hand operators.

A more specific object is to employ a cover plate overlying the rearportion of the cover shell as a heat barrier and as an anchorage for theservice cord.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following specification and detailed drawings inwhich:

Figure l is a Vertical sectional View through an iron incorporating theinvention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the iron;

Figure 3 is a sectional View on line 3 3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a plan'view of the spring keeper spider employed to hold theservice cord in a selected operating position.

A preferred embodiment of the iron comprises the usual sole plate I0, acover shell II and an operating handle I2. A cantilever type operatinghandle molded in one piece includes a grip I3 and a single supportingleg I4 having a base rigidly connected to the cover shell at its forwardend. The large diameter temperature regulator dial I6 lies in closelyspaced relation to the top of shell I I and will be described in greaterdetail below. Cover shell II extends rearwardly beyond the heel of thesole plate as indicated at I8 and its rearmost end cooperates with thefree end i9 of the handle grip to provide a broad rest for the iron whenit is upended onto the rest. A closure plate 2i! is removably secured byscrew 2| to bracket 22 which, in turn, is rigidly attached to theunderside of rear end I8 of the cover shell by spot welding. Thisclosure plate provides convenient access to the service cord terminalleads and closes the space between the rear wall of the sole plate andthe end of cover shell II.

Referring to the internal construction of the iron proper, it will beseen that a U-shaped resistance heating element 23 is embedded in thesole plate so that its terminals project from the heel of the sole platein a convenient position to be connected in circuit with the temperatureregulator and the service cord.

A thermostatic temperature regulator device generally indicated at 24 issupported on the top surface of the sole plate by a mounting screw 25.The bimetallic thermal element 26 is located close to the top surface ofthe sole plate and supports an insulator button 2l which abuts theunderside of upper leaf 28 of the control switch. The other leaf 29 ofthe switch underlies leaf 28 so that its position relative to leaf 28can be adjusted from the control dial I6. This is accomplished by meansof a threaded shaft 3U which passes through a nut 3| carried bystationary arm 32 of the regulator assembly. The lower end 33 of shaft30 passes through an enlarged opening in switch leaf 28 and bearsagainst the upper side of leaf 29. Lug 34 carried by shaft 30 and lug 35carried by nut 3l serve to limit movement of shaft 3B between a positionin which the switch is open regardless of the temperature of the ironand a limiting, high temperature position of the regulator. Dial I isremovably secured to the upper end of shaft 30 by a set screw 36 whichas accessible through a notch 31 in the rim of the dial.

The forward end of the cover shell H is secured to the sole plate by athreaded stud 38 and Screw 39, while the rear end is likewise secured inplace by a screw 40 mating with bracket member 4| rigidly secured to theheel of the sole plate in any suitable manner. As will be apparent fromFigure l, screws 39 and fili are accessible for removal when dial IB isremoved.

Handle l2 is preferably made as a one piece molded plastic member of amaterial having very low heat conductive properties. The base of thesole supporting leg I4 is of a general V-shape having a concave rearface conforming to the contour of the rim of dial I6. Leg I4 ispreferably reenforced by a metallic insert, not shown, which is threadedto receive a large diameter stud bolt accessible from the underside ofthe cover and carrying a spacing washer 42 positioned between the topside of the cover and the lower end of the handle leg.

A heat insulating plate 43 of the general contour illustrated in Figure2 overlies the rear por-- tion of the cover shell. This highly effectiveheat barrier is spaced slightly above the cover shell and is securedthereto by a pair of screws 44, a5 more clearly appears from Figure 3.The forward edge of heat barrier 43, as was the case with the rear faceof leg lll, is concave and closely embraces the rirn of regulator diali6. It will therefore be evident that this plate, along with the dialand the base of leg it, act individually and cooperatively to provide asu Jstantially continuous heat barrier between the iron and theoperating handle.

Plate 43 also serves as a mounting means for the ser ice cord :i5 andthe usual strain relief therefor. Thus, a centrally disposed, verticalopening fili in plate d3 rotatably receives a thimble 47 on thedownturned end of strain relief 48 at the terminal end of service cord43. One of the terminal wires is connected to a lead 5l] passing throughan insulator bushing El to upper leaf 23 of the regulator switch. Thesecond terminal 52 is connected to one end of heater element 23 whilethe other end of the heater element is connected to leaf 29 of theswitch by a connector not shown.

Strain relief lli preferably pivots from a position at one side of theiron, as indicated in Figure 2, to a diametrically opposed position onthe other side of the iron in order to adapt the iron for use by eithera left or right hand operator. The position of the cord shown in Figure2 is one which would customarily be employed by a right hand operator. Aspring spider 53 having indentations at the ends of arms 54 isnon-rotatably mounted on thimble 4l and is held in place as by a keeperspring t3. The indentations in arms 54 engage with indentations on theunderside of plate 43 to resistingly lock` the cord in a desiredoperating position. These rnay include not only the diametricallyopposed positions described above but an intermediate rearwardlyprojecting position. As will be readily understood from the foregoing,the cord is quickly and readily adjustable to any one of severalpositions by grasping the strain relief and rotating it to the positiondesired.

The temperature regulator dial, as appears from `Figure 2, has adiameter which extends from side to side of the iron and issubstantially coextensive with the grip portion I3 of the operatinghandle. A horizontally projecting flange 54 eX- tends radially beyondthe circular row of ingel grip projections 56 and serves as a supportfor the finger tips when adjusting the dial and as a safeguard againstthe finger tips coming in contact with the hot cover shell. Anotherfunction of flange 54 is to support the temperature control indicia, asclearly indicated in Figure 2. This indicia mates with the singlestationary indicia 55 on the rearmost corner of the base of the handleleg. Thus, when the indicia linen carried on shelf 54 of the dial isbrought in alignment with stationary indicia 55, the temperatureregulator is set to operate at a suitable temperature for ironing linenfabrics. Movement of the dial to other positions adjusts the regulatorto maintain the proper operating temperatures for ironing other types offabrics in accordance with customary practice. The indicia high on thedial indicates the highest temperature setting for the iron while theindicia olf opens the switch and dec-nergizes the iron regardless of itstemperature condition.

While but one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in thedrawings it will be appreciated that various alternative constructionsmay resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention. Forexample, various designs of the several parts including the dial may beemployed. Preferably, the dial is provided with radially extendingflange whichy overlies the gaps between the dial and the base of theforward leg and the gap at the forward edge of plate 43 in order toprevent radiant heat reaching the operators hand. Various other changesmay also be resorted to. For example, the terminal end of lthe servicecord may be connected to plate 43 in such a way as to pivot through avertical plane rather than through a horizontal plane as presentlyillustrated.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be manifest that anunusually simple and rugged construction has been disclosed having manyunique features and in which each of the several principal parts havemultiple, mutually, cooperative functions.

While only a single embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, itis to be understood that numerous variations in the design anddisposition of the parts is contemplated without departing from thespirit of the1 present invention.

We claim:

l. ln combination, an electric sad iron having a sole plate, an electricheating element therefor, a cover shell for said sole plate and heatingelement, a therniostatic regulator connected in circuit with saidelement and housed within said shell having a shaft extending upwardlythrough said shell centrally thereof, of means for confining the greaterportion of the heat of said iron to the sone below the top of said shellcomprising a cantilever type operating handle of heat insulatingmaterial having a single supporting leg rigidly connecting the forwardend of the handle grip to the forward end of said iron, la generallyfiat control dial of heat insulating material on said shaft closelyspaced above said shell having a diameter extending substantially thewidth of said shell and underlying the lower side of said handle grip, acover of insulating material overlying said cover shell rearwardly ofsaid dial and having a forward edge closely embracing said dial, saidcover and said dial cooperating to provide a substantially continuousheat barrier between said cover shell and said handle grip and servingas the dividing line between a relatively high temperature Zonetherebelow and a relatively cool temperature zone thereabove.

2. The combination dened in claim l in which said insulated cover plateis provided with an opening having a service cord and a stra-in relieftherefor extending therethrough.

3. In combination, an electric sad iron having a sole plate, an electricheating element therefor, a cover shell for said sole plate and heatingelement, a cantilever type operating handle for said iron having ahorizontally arranged grip portion and a supporting leg connecting theforward end thereof to the forward end of said iron, a relatively thinwide area heat insulating cover member mounted in closely spacedrelation to the rear portion of said cover shell and underlying the rearend of said handle grip, said cover serving as a heat barrier betweenthe underlying portion of said cover shell and said handle grip, anopening in said cover member, means for rotatably supporting a strainrelief for a service cord in said opening whereby said service cord maybe rotated to project laterally from either side of said iron as desiredto facilitate use of the iron by either right or left hand operators.

4. A sad iron as defined in claim 3 including means for resistinglyholding said rotatably mounted strain relief in any one of a pluralityof positions,

5. A sad iron as defined in claim 3 including means for supporting saidrotatably mounted strain relief directly on said cover member.

5. A sad iron as defined in claim 5 in which said cover member includesmeans for detachably mounting the saine on said cover shell and in whichsaid strain relief and its supporting means is removable with said covermember.

7. In combination, an electric sad iron having a sole plate, an electricheating element therefor, a cover shell for said sole plate and heatingelement, a cantilever type operating handle connected to said iron atthe forward end thereof, a temperature regulator having a control dialof heat insulating material extending from side to side of said covershell positioned rearward of said handle connection, a cover plate ofinsulating material overlying the portion of said cover shell. rearwardof said regulator control dial and cooperating therewith to form a heatbarrier between said cover shell and the grip portion of said operatinghandle, and a service cord and strain relief therefor mounted in saidcover plate.

8. In combination, an electric sad iron having a sole plate, an electricheating element therefor, a cover shell for said sole plate and heatingelement, a thermostatic regulator connected in circuit` with saidelement and housed within said shell having a shaft extending upwardlytherethrough centrally thereof, of means for conning the greater portionof the heat of said iron to the zone below the top of said shellcomprising an operating handle of heat insulating material 6 having asingle supporting leg connected to one end of said cover shell andincluding a generally horizontal grip overlying said regulator shaft, acontrol dial of heat insulating material on said shaft closely spacedabove said shell having a diameter extending substantially the width ofsaid shell, the side of said single handle support adjacent said dialbeing shapedv to closely embrace the rim of the dial, a cover plate ofheat insulating material overlying the remainder of the upper surface ofsaid cover shell and having a concave peripheral portion embracing therim of said control dial, and a service cordV and strain relief thereforsupported in said insulated cover plate, the lower end of said singlehandle supporting leg, said dial and said cover plate cooperating toform a substantially continuous heat barrier overlying the top of saidcover shell to shield the grip portion of said operating handle from theheat of the sole plate and cover shell.

9. The combination defined in claim S including means for rotatablymounting said service cord and strain relief in said cover plate topermit said strain relief to be rotated through an arc sufficient tofacilitate the use of said iron by either right or left hand operators.

10. The combination with an electric sad iron having a sole plate, acover shell thereon and a 'temperature control device associated withsaid sole plate and located beneath said shell, of an operating handlefor said iron having a grip and a single supporting leg connected to theforward end of said iron and supporting said grip, a control dial forsaid temperature control device immediately overlying said shellrearward of said supporting leg and sufficiently large in diameter toextend from side to side of said shell and having its rim nesting in theconcave rear base of said supporting leg, said dial being of heatinsulating material to act as a heat barrier between the top of saidshell and the lower side of said handle grip, temperature control inicianear the rim of said dial, and cooperating stationary indicia on therearmost corner of the base of said single handle supporting leg wherebysaid stationary indicia is readily visible to the operator from avantage point above said handle without obstruction by said handle.

11. In combination, an electric sad iron having a sole plate, anelectric heating element therefor, a cover shell for said sole plate andheating element, a thermostatic regulator in circuit with said heatingelement concealed by said shell and having a shaft extending upwardlytherethrough generally centrally thereof, an operating handle secured tosaid iron above said shell by means of a single front supporting leg andincluding a hand grip portion extending rearwardly in spaced relation tosaid cover shell, plate-like means of heat insulating material overlyingthe major portion of said cover shell not covered by said front handleleg and forming a heat barrier between said cover shell and the handgrip of said operating handle, said plate-like means comprising acircular disk having a diameter approximating the top width of theunderlying portion of the cover shell and Supported on the shaft of saidthermostatic regulator for adjusting the same, said plate-'like heatbarrier means also including a stationary portion closely embracing saiddisk rearwardly thereof and being mounted on the rear top side of saidcover shell.

12. An electric sad iron as dened in claim ll, including a service cordconnected in circuit with said heating element and thermostatioregulator, and a strain relief means for said service cord extendingthrough said plate-like heat barrier means and arranged for limitedrotary movement about the axis of the opening through said heat barrierwhereby said service cord may be adjusted to accommodate right and lefthand operators.

References cited in the me of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,018,576 Madsen Feb. 27, 1912 2,241,067 Hansen May 6, 19412,249,620 Samuels July 15, 1941 Number 15 Number Name Date MacDonaldSept. 30, 1941 Elsenheimer July 11, 1944 Lucia Apr. 10, 1945 Newell Oct.2, 1945 Sparkln Dee. 28, 1946 Busch Oct. 25, 1949 Sparklin Aug. 15, 1950Gerber Nov. 21, 1950 Holland et a1 Jan. 2, 1951 Beach May 20, 1952 VanceOct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Dec` 23, 1946

